May 12 (GMM) "Official sources" have played down alarming reports about the health condition of F1 legend Michael Schumacher.

A US source called 'Newseveryday', whose report was repeated by respected international publications, had quoted a doctor supposedly involved in Schumacher's recovery as saying the former Mercedes driver needs "a miracle to stay alive".

"The truth is that they were nothing more than rumours," Marca, a Spanish sports daily, reports.

"Marca has been told by official sources that the German former driver remains in the same condition of the past several months, without significant progress but not critical," the report said.

A Honduras newspaper called Diez cites "several sources" in reporting that Schumacher's home treatment by a medical team is costing the family millions.

The report said Erlinyou, a Chinese GPS company, is no longer a EUR 5 million per-year sponsor of Schumacher, joining Jet Set and Navyboot in the group of former backers.

Diez said Audemars Piguet and Rosbacher have reduced the value of their sponsorship of Schumacher, while Deutsche Vermogensberatung, Mercedes, Audemars Piguet, Schuberth and Hormann remain loyal to the famous 47-year-old.